11 Life-Ruining Roller Coaster Accidents

Each year, about 300 million people will take about 1.7 billion rides on American roller coasters. Considering there are only about 400 amusement parks to go around between them, that means the fast and furious thrill is such a popular draw that people will come from far and wide looking for their fix.

In the same period of time, park owners can expect about 1,415 injuries to take place. In a vacuum, that number sounds a little scary. Yet, when you compare that to how many rides are going on uneventfully, it’s not surprising that those in the industry hold to the belief that these rides are safe and accidents are rare. 

Rare as they are, they do happen. Despite all the safety checks and features major amusement parks will put in place on their rides, the unthinkable will happen and terror will sometimes unleash. When news of an accident leads people to imagine the worst, it’s usually a freak mechanical failure that comes to mind. While there are certainly examples of those on this list, remember that these speedy rides are still operated, overseen and ridden by humans. No matter how hard they try or how careful they are, humans can still make mistakes.

Keep this fact in mind as we look through these 11 tragic accidents. Remember also that each one created a shockwave in the industry with ride-builders across the world working to prevent them from happening again. So if you love roller coasters, please don’t let this list deter you.

COMMENT and let us know what theme park mishaps you’ve witnessed.

1. Mindbender, West Edmonton Mall, 1986.

This ride in Canada’s famous “supermall” still operates today, but it had to go through a major redesign after this incident. When the coaster’s rear car came off the track during a loop, three people were thrown against a support pole before falling to their deaths.The ride has been accident-free ever since.

2. Super Himalaya, Coney Island, 1999.

Sadly, 17-year-old Nadine Caban chose this ride because she thought it was safe. On that day, however, a coupling hook snapped between cars, which caused Caban’s car to flip over and pin her to the track. She did not survive.

3. Batman, Six Flags Over Georgia, 2008.

While enjoying this ride, a South Carolina teen lost his hat. Apparently ignoring the warning signs posted, he later scaled two six-foot-high fences to try and retrieve it.Nobody operating the ride was aware of his presence, so it kept going at about 50 miles per hour before colliding with the teen and decapitating him.

4. The Big Dipper, Battersea Park, 1972.

This wooden roller coaster was once the most exciting ride in London, but that changed one fateful day when the drive trains holding the cars to the track disconnected. The ride then suddenly shifted backwards on a tight turn and the last car derailed, killing five children.